Law School Success

"Figuring out how things work as a first-generation student constantly seems like an uphill battle. This program helped to answer a lot of questions that would have made me feel lost for the first year of law school."

– Participant, Law School Success

Get the Tools You Need to Succeed in Law School

Law school can be difficult to figure out. The academic expectations and standards are different from what you may be used to, and the modes of analysis, writing, and exam-taking may be unfamiliar to you. That's why we have created Law School Success — a program, which will help you demystify the academic skills needed for success in law school, including study, analytical, writing, and exam skills. Whether you're about to start your first semester or want to perform better in your second semester, Law School Success will teach you to think like a lawyer and provide guidance at the onset of your legal education journey. You will also have the opportunity to begin professional development to build the business knowledge that will help you get ready to compete in today’s legal landscape.

Upgrade Your LawHub Subscription Now

Legal Analysis Boot Camp

Lawyers are problem-solvers, which is the reason why much of what you will be learning in law school emphasizes solving problems like a lawyer. Specifically, lawyers use inductive and deductive reasoning to find the answers to legal questions. In this course, you’ll be guided through the process of solving a series of legal questions so you can begin to establish this crucial skill before your first day of law school. You’ll be able to practice what you learn by applying legal writing and analytical skills to a practice law school exam adapted from the Multistate Performance Test, created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The practice exam is followed by a guided review of a sample answer and scoring rubric so that you understand how to improve your writing and analytical skills.

Law student at desk looking at notes

Modules

Video Module icon

Video Module

Welcome to Legal Analysis Boot Camp!

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET

In this webinar, we’ll introduce you to the core program components of the Legal Analysis Boot Camp and allow ample time for Q&A. This session will be recorded.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Hear From the Students

Current law students share how strengthening logical reasoning skills helped them on their law school exams and in job placement.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Introduction and Learning Outcomes

In this brief module, we’ll explain the goals and learning outcomes of Legal Analysis Boot Camp and what you can expect from the program.

Video Module icon

Video Module

What Is a Rule of Law?

Rules of law form the backbone of legal analysis. In this module, you’ll learn the definition of a rule of law and how to recognize one.

Video Module icon

Video Module

An Introduction to Deductive Reasoning (IRAC)

Learn how to use the IRAC (Issue-Rule-Application-Conclusion) method to better understand cases and structure your answers on law school exams.

Video Module icon

Video Module

The Components of a Judicial Opinion

Judicial opinions are not narratives; they are functional problem-solving documents. Find out how to understand their components.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Extracting the Rule of Law – Part 1

Learn how to identify and extract a rule of law from a judicial opinion.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Extracting the Rule of Law – Part 2

Another opportunity to practice identifying and extracting a rule of law from a judicial opinion.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Synthesizing a Rule of Law

Some rules of law are complete; others need to be put together piece by piece like a jigsaw puzzle. In this module, you’ll learn how to do just that.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Dissecting a Fact Pattern

“Fact patterns” are hypothetical scenarios you must analyze during law school exams. In this module, we’ll analyze the fact pattern used on the upcoming practice exam.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Using IRAC to Generate Your Exam Answer

Learn and practice using the IRAC structure to draft answers to essay exams.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Practice Exam

It’s time to try your hand at writing a law school exam answer!

Video Module icon

Video Module

Reviewing Your Exam with a Sample Answer

How did you do on the practice exam? Let’s compare your answer to a sample answer and learn ways to improve your exam technique based on this comparison.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Legal Analysis Boot Camp Wrap-Up

Thursday, July 21, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET

In the closing webinar, we’ll look at the sample exam answer in greater depth and answer your questions. This session will be recorded.

Law School: What You Really Need to Know

It is often said that your first semester of law school is like “drinking from a fire hose.” You are there to learn the black letter law, but you are also there to raise your learning game. In this program, you will be able to take more in-depth and interactive modules on key academic skills like reading and briefing cases, participating in class, taking notes, outlining, and preparing for your law school exams.

Law student at desk looking at laptop

Modules

Video Module icon

Video Module

Welcome to Law School: What You Really Need to Know

Monday, August 15, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET

Law school is about to begin, so knowing what’s coming and how to manage your time is more important than ever! Susannah Pollvogt and Melissa Hale will talk about what to expect in your first semester of law school, as well as planning when to do what. This session will be recorded.

Presenters: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC; Melissa Hale – LSAC

Video Module icon

Video Module

The Judicial System and Sources of Law

What is the difference between a trial court and an appellate court? How do state and federal courts interact? Where does law come from and what is the difference between a case and a statute? Learn the various sources of law, as well as an introduction to the judicial system and why that’s important.

Presenter: Ashley London – Duquesne School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Belonging in Law School

Many law students—especially first-generation law students—are uncertain whether they truly “belong” in law school. It’s important to realize you are not alone in feeling this way, and that these feelings can be overcome with connection and community. Hear from three faculty members about why students sometimes feel they don’t belong and techniques for addressing those feelings.

Presenters: Emily Grant – Washburn University School of Law; Kirk Walter – Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Russell McClain – University of Maryland Carey School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Belonging in Law School

Monday, August 22, 2022
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET

Join Kirk Walter, Russell McClain and Emily Grant and their students for a Q&A on belonging in law school. This session will be recorded.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Advanced Case Briefing

Take a deeper dive into how to read cases, and how to brief them. This will help you prepare better for class and, eventually prepare you better for your final exam.

Presenter: Kiyana Kiel – California Western School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Becoming an Expert Learner

Learn the processes used to plan, monitor, and assess one's understanding and performance. To become an expert learner, you need to learn to think about how you think, and think about how you learn.

Presenter: Nicole Lefton – Hofstra University School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Advanced Note Taking

Do you know what note taking methods work best for you? Are you confident you know what to write down from class lectures? Professor Laura Mott help you perfect your law school note taking, as she gives you tips and tricks and helps you decide what is important.

Presenter: Laura Mott – CUNY School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

How to Take Notes Like A Pro!

Tuesday, September 6, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET

Join Professor Laura Mott and students for a Q&A on how to take the best notes for your exam! This session will be recorded.

Presenter: Laura Mott – CUNY School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Outlining: Putting it all Together

Professor Toni Miceli will teach you how to consolidate your class notes and start synthesizing your materials, or “outline.” This is a key element in the study process, and will help you start to prepare for exams.

Presenter: Toni Miceli – St. Louis University School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Practicing to Learn: Using Multiple-Choice

Learn why legal multiple-choice questions are different, as well as the best ways to practice and learn from those practice questions, since after all, practice makes progress.

Presenter: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC

Video Module icon

Video Module

Exam Preparation

Get guidance on how to best prepare for exams, from how and when to practice, to how to prepare on the day of the exam in a way that ensures you maximize your points!

Presenter: Melissa Hale – LSAC

Video Module icon

Video Module

Issue-Spotting for Exams

For many law students, spotting issues in law school exams is one of the most difficult things to master. However, it’s difficult to succeed on an exam if you don’t spot all the issues. Let Professor Kris Franklin take you through the process step-by-step!

Presenter: Kris Franklin – New York Law School

Video Module icon

Video Module

The “A” in IRAC

The A, or Analysis, in IRAC is usually where you can pick up most of your points, and it’s typically where most students struggle. Professor MaryAnn Herman will guide you through that process, just in time for your final exams!

Presenter: MaryAnn Herman – Duquesne School of Law

Video Module icon

Video Module

Receiving Feedback

Receiving feedback that is critical can be hard and knowing what to do with that feedback can be even harder. Susanna and Melissa will talk about what to do with negative feedback, and how to turn it into a positive experience.

Presenters: Susannah Pollvogt – LSAC; Melissa Hale – LSAC

Becoming an Expert Learner

Your first semester of law school is over. You've taken your exams and received your grades. Now what? Becoming an Expert Learner will help you assess your academic performance up until this point and provide you with a roadmap to improvement. It also offers helpful resources on managing stress while in law school, performing your best on your oral argument, and effectively memorizing and applying rules of law for your next set of exams.

Law student holding folders and smiling

Modules

Video Module icon

Video Module

You Got Your Grades, Now What?

How to assess what worked, what didn’t work, and how to continue to improve for future learning and your professional career.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Assessing Exams and Practice Questions

Effectively assess your essays and practice questions—an invaluable skill for law school.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Nerding Out on Rules: A Guide to Learning and Using Legal Rules

Different rule types, how to spot them, and how to use them most effectively on exams.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Memorization v. Understanding

What’s the difference? And how to improve comprehension and make memorization easier.

Video Module icon

Video Module

The Science of Memorization: Spaced Repetition

Learn about the spaced repetition method to use your study time more efficiently.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Finding Balance: Incorporating Self-Care Into Your Law School Schedule

Creating healthy habits that support your mental and physical health and help you manage your time.

Video Module icon

Video Module

The Importance of Mental Health in Law

Concrete techniques that promote mental health to use through law school and into your career.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Oral Advocacy Tips

Tips and best practices on this second-semester skill, which is central to your future in law.

Video Module icon

Video Module

Networking and Interviewing: Best Practices for Aspiring Lawyers

How to thoughtfully explore professional paths and network when you don’t know where to begin.

Modern Law Practice (MLP) Certification

The skills you need to navigate and succeed in today’s complex legal landscape.

MLP is the only online learning program that is solely focused on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that legal employers of all sizes are seeking. Delivered by experienced professors and lawyers, it is an award-winning upskilling program that improves employability and effectiveness in the modern business environment. It consists of 10+ hours of asynchronous instruction in six discrete topics sought by employers and clients:

  • Data analytics
  • Product and service design
  • Legal technology
  • Process improvement and project management
  • Business and finance
  • Modern legal services market

Upon passing the exams in all six courses, you will earn a certification, which can easily be incorporated on your résumé and social media profiles like LinkedIn.

Law student at laptop with headphones

I found the curriculum very rigorous, but I enjoyed it. Law school is heavy on theory. In contrast, MLP helps you understand the business aspects of law, and that’s so important for young lawyers who want to make it in this industry, which is changing rapidly.

- Trezell Ragas, Southern University Law Center ‘21

Learn More about Modern Law Practice

Create a LawHub Account

Don't have a LawHub account? Get started now! It's free and you get instant access to LSAT Prep, Admission Unmasked, Prelaw Success Live Events. You can also create a personalized list of law schools.

Create an Account Now

Upgrade to LSAT Prep Plus

Already have a free LawHub account? Upgrade to LSAT Prep Plus to get 1-year unlimited access to more than 80 LSAT practice tests, follow your applications with the NEW Application Status Tracker, and access the academic and professional resources you need to prepare and succeed in law school.

Buy Now

 

Support for Law School Success

For more information about LawHub, please contact us at LSACinfo@LSAC.org.